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About P.A.W.S

A Unique and Exciting Conservation Working Holiday Programme based in the heart of the Namibian Bush

Welcome to P.A.W.S. part of Okonjima’s and AfriCat’s vision to restore the land back to its original state and once again witness the magnificent cheetah stalking and hunting its prey in it’s natural environment.  Africa’s fragile ecosystem and wildlife are inseparably linked, co-existing successfully since time began.

Unfortunately due to man’s influence this delicate balance is rapidly changing and the need to reverse this damage and protect our environment has become paramount.

 

Combining the management and implementation of fundamental conservation principals we aim to restore this balance and in time recreate this sustainable eco-system once more.  Through your involvement & commitment we are creating valuable employment and training opportunities for the local community to aid us with our vision.

Located in the heart of the Okonjima Game Reserve, this exciting eco- tourism project works alongside the AfriCat Foundation, the world’s largest animal welfare programme committed to the long term conservation and release of Namibia’s large carnivores, especially cheetahs and leopards.

 

Okonjima’s total reserve encompasses 55,000 acres (22,000 hectares) of which large sections still harbour the scars and remains of old commercial cattle farming land.

It is this land that PAWS aims to restore and return back into a Game Reserve with the ultimate goal of introducing an amazing new variety of Namibian game into the area.

 

 

By choosing this project you will be undertaking essential reserve maintenance tasks which include : dismantling windmills, fencelines, old water troughs, bush clearing tasks, reparing waterholes, dam and bridge maintenance etc.  You may also have the fantastic opportunity of working directly at the AfriCat Foundation itself (when projects are available) which include : bone collecting within the cheetah camps, erecting and repairing fences and netting, fence maintenance etc.  Later in the day volunteers will take part in a multitude of exciting activities including :

visiting the cheetah conservation programme - the AfriCat foundation,  leopard tracking, cheetah tracking by foot, bushman walks, tracking hyaena by foot, visiting the lions, birding & game drives etc.

There are also unique opportunities to go behind the scenes of the AfriCat Foundation to witness first hand the feeding of all these beautiful animals at this sanctuary.  On occasions cheetahs & leopards need to be rescued by AfriCat and re-released back into the wild and a lucky volunteer may be given the unique and very exciting opportunity to accompany one of the AfriCat team to do just this! A rare privilege to witness first hand this delicate & highly organised operation.

 

PAWS for thought...

To become a conservation team member with P.A.W.S. previous knowledge or experience is not required, just a willingness to work hard and enjoy every moment! The vision behind our project is for those with a passion for conservation, a lust for life and a desire to be at one with nature! You will be given the opportunity to have a life changing experience with the knowledge that through your hard work and dedication we are one step closer to giving Africa back to nature!